Taxpayers vent frustrations

Taxpayers vent frustrations

over county, school budgets By Stephen Dakeinc; Rappahannock News Staff Writer People seemed raring to speak Friday night at the Board of Supervisors' budget hearing about the one thing that was no longer on the agenda: Performance contracting and upgrading school buildings. The proposed contract with Ameresco was taken off the agenda last week by County Administrator John McCarthy citing there was not enough time to complete contract documents prior to the Virginia Resource Authority deadline of June 1. The VRA would have been either the lease/purchase agent or the lending authority depending on how the contract was negotiated, according to government officials.

What many may have not taken into account is that there is good news: The proposed school budget is $211,782 less than last year’s - including a $231,227 reduction in state aid - and the county’s proposing lowering property taxes by .02 cents per $100. McCarthy also explained there would be no new capital expenses. Scrabble School and landfill projects having been completed. In addition, there was a proposed reduction of four county positions, he said. A final hearing and vote on the county budget will be announced at least seven days prior to a vote bv the Board of Supervisors. No date has yet been set. The board will vote on the sehixil budget on May 4. Thero was a big sign in the rear of the auditorium Friday night reading “Don't Boondoggle Rappahannock" Another sign said, “No New Debt.” The speakers were equally divided on the lines of supporting the schools and those who raised issue with schools’ management. There had been two meetings of Concerned Taxpayers led by Tom Junk leading up to the hiring where many had denounced the proposed “performance contract" with Ameresco as new debt without taxpayer approval. Signs had been placed in yards warning of $5 million in See HEARING, Page A5

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